The Best After-School Jobs For Teenagers
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Between debate club, volunteer work and sports, we expect a lot from teenagers today – on top of academic achievement. But while many extracurricular activities, like mock trial or yearbook club, give teens a chance to play pretend in real-world scenarios, there’s nothing like an after-school job to give actual real-world experience.
However, according to Statista, the percentage of teens ages 16-19 enrolled in school and working jobs dropped from over 30 percent in 1997 to barely 18 percent in recent years. Parents have a lot to think about when deciding how their teens should spend after school hours. Moms and dads want to give their teens a chance to be teens, but they also want to instill a sense of responsibility in them, and prepare them for life outside of the home.
When approached correctly, after-school jobs for teens can be a great asset. Before having your teen fill out a W-4, here’s what to consider along with some of the best after-school jobs.
The Benefits Of Teens Having After-School Jobs
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The transition from high school to college to post-grad life can be jarring for many students who never worked. An after-school job can slowly introduce teens to several factors they will encounter in the real world, so they’re better prepared for life after school. Some of these benefits include:
- Adult interactions. In school, the dynamic is very much that the teachers are the adults and the teens are the kids. But, at a job, teenagers interact with adults more as peers. Between coworkers and customers, they interact with adults in new ways that prepare them for real-world, professional relationships.
- Seeing the value of a dollar. Some teens don’t understand what it takes for their parents to keep the lights on or put food on the table. They hear that the Internet bill was $100, but they don’t fully understand what that means. Once they see how many hours they have to work to cover a $100 bill, they may begin to value money more – their parents and their own.
- Time management. Having an after-school job can help teens better learn how to manage their time. It creates a positive structure during after-school hours so they are encouraged to learn how to manage time for other activities like homework or socializing.
- Building a resume. With the job market as competitive as it is, the earlier an individual can start building a professional resume, the better. Out of college, your post-grad might need a job in the service industry just to make ends meet while they pursue their career. But even those jobs are competitive, and having that pre-existing resume gives applicants a leg up.
Advice For Parents Of Working Teens
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While there are many benefits to having your teen take on an after-school job, there are some pitfalls and precautions to be aware of.
- No more than 20 hours a week. Research from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) found that teens who work more than 20 hours a week become less invested in their academics. Keep a teen’s work schedule to less than 20 hours a week.
- Find safe working environments. Make sure your teenager doesn’t take a job that could put them in danger of physical injury or emotional trauma. Go to their place of work and vet it yourself. Make sure the establishment takes all necessary steps to keep employees safe, and make sure that the adults interact with your teen in an appropriate manner.
- Be aware of child labor laws. It is important to research child labors laws in your state before finding a job for your teenager. There might be restrictions on the age at which a teen can work, and/or how many hours per week.
- Don’t let it interfere with high school life. Make sure your teen’s job occupies a healthy space in their life. It shouldn’t become their main focus. They should still understand that academics is their top priority, and they should have time for a social life. The research out of NLM found that high school students who stay engaged in a social life and regular high school activities are more likely to attend a four-year college.
The Best After-School Jobs For Teens
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Speak to your teen about their goals and what they want out of an afterschool job. Some teenagers might want experience in customer service, while others might want a job that is less customer-facing. These are jobs that can easily fit into a teen’s school schedule and are age-appropriate for high school students.
- Babysitting. Being a babysitter is a great job for teaching teens responsibility because as babysitters, they are the surrogate adults. Many parents need babysitters on nights and weekends so that they can have a social life, so this job fits easily into a teen’s schedule.
- Grocery store stocker or bagger. Working in a grocery store gives teens the chance to interact with customers and even learn more about the true cost of regular consumer goods. However, it isn’t so mentally draining that it interferes with their academic ambitions.
- Lifeguard. While this job will require special training, it is a great job for the energetic teen who is looking for a challenge and wants to take on responsibility. It’s also a great summer job, as it tends to be seasonal.
- Sales associate. Working in a clothing store or similar retail environment gives your teenager experience in customer service and will teach them some introductory accounting and finance skills if they handle the cash register.
- Tutor. Being a tutor offers a similar benefit to being a babysitter, in that it puts the teen in the position of authority. Additionally, it gives your teen a chance to brush up on some of the basic concepts that are the building blocks of their current education.
- Customer service representative. Being a customer service representative gives teens the chance to work on their communication skills, as well as develop conflict resolution skills. Just make sure they work in a low-stakes industry where they can avoid overly-emotional customers. Working for a health insurance company, in this case, isn’t a good fit for teens, but working for a toy or pet products company could be.
- Restaurant host/hostess. This job gives teens customer service and hospitality experience. It also makes them good candidates for a more lucrative serving position during college.
- Barista. Working in a coffee shop can teach teens to keep up in a fast-paced environment all while learning customer service skills and some basic cashier skills.
